Techniques for Tighter, Faster, Stronger Miter Joints

Techniques for Tighter, Faster, Stronger Miter Joints

Miter joints provide one main advantage over other joints: A miter joint hides end grain and brings face grain neatly together. Everything else about miter joints is a hassle. They're fussy, time-consuming and easy to screw up. But there are ways to minimize those hassles.

The 60-Second SqueezeWhen you're dealing with small or hard-to-clamp parts, the best clamping tools might be your hands. Simply apply glue to the parts; then rub them together to distribute and tack-set the glue. Hold the parts together on a flat surface for 30 to 60 seconds (although it may seem like 5 minutes). Watch the joint as you release pressure; if anything moves, squeeze and hold for a few more seconds. Let the assembly sit undisturbed for a half-hour before you handle it again.

Make Micro Adjustments with a Disc SanderNo tool can tweak a miter's fit as easily as a disc sander can. You can shorten the workpiece a hair with a quick touch of the disc. You can also adjust the angle by a fraction of a degree. Instead of fussing with the miter gauge, make tiny adjustments by sticking a paper shim between the gauge and the workpiece. Knock-Off Blocks for Long MitersLong miters are a nightmare to clamp, but adding temporary triangular blocks makes it a snap. The key is to use paper from a grocery bag. Dab some wood glue on both sides of the paper, stick the blocks wherever you need them and let the glue set overnight. When you're done clamping, remove each block with a hammer blow. The paper creates a weak spot in the glue bond, so the blocks break away without damage to the wood. Use hot water to soften any paper or glue left on the wood, then scrape it away and sand as usual. Customize a Drafting Square Drafting squares are inexpensive, accurate and great for tool or jig setup. Because they're plastic, you can easily customize them to suit the job. We filed notches in this square to keep the saw teeth from interfering with setup. Drafting squares are available in various sizes for $4 to $10 at art and office supply stores. Guides for Perfect EdgingMitered guides clamped in place let you perfect the length and angle of mitered edging. Use the edging stock itself to guide the fit of each piece. Clamp the guides precisely in place and work your way around the tabletop, gluing each perfected piece in place as you go. After you glue and clamp a section of banding, remove the adjoining guides immediately so you don't accidentally glue them in place.

The Touch Test When you're building a box or frame, the opposite sides must be precisely the same length. Otherwise, even the most perfect miters won't form a tight joint. To compare lengths, hold the parts together on a flat surface and feel the ends. Your finger can detect differences your eyes c...

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